- Confederate Nations of Israel
-
The Confederate Nations of Israel is a hybrid church–political organization with roots in Mormon fundamentalism that was organized in 1977 by Alex Joseph. Like Mormonism's Council of Fifty, after which it was patterned, the Confederate Nations of Israel is multi-denominational and combines ecumenical spiritual doctrines with ultimate aspirations of quasi-theocratic political control.
Although it is often classified as a sect within the Latter Day Saint movement and Mormon fundamentalism that practices plural marriage,[1] the Confederate Nations of Israel is in fact a loosely organized confederation of individuals affiliated from many denominations who may or may not practice polygamy. Of its 400 members, approximately one-fourth practice polygamy, and very few of these individuals have ever been a member of any Latter Day Saint denomination.[2] In addition to independent Mormon fundamentalists, the organization includes "Catholics, Protestants, Eastern religionists, atheists, and sexually-active homosexuals".[2]
Alex Joseph, the founder of the Confederate Nations of Israel, was mayor of Big Water, Utah from 1983 to 1994. Another member of the organization, Willy Marshall, was elected mayor of Big Water in 2001 and became the first openly-gay mayor in Utah history.[3]
After Alex Joseph died in 1998, polygamy practically ceased to exist with in Big Water, Utah. Their children attend public school and women were encouraged to live freely, obtain an education. The Alex Joseph family tended to be involved with the media and speak openly about their polygamous lifestyle because they felt the media provided protection for the group.[4]
See also
- Factional breakdown: Mormon fundamentalist sects
- List of Mormon fundamentalist churches
- List of Mormon fundamentalist leaders
Notes
- ^ See, e.g., J. Gordon Melton (2003, 7th ed.). Encyclopedia of American Religions (Detroit, Mich.: Gale).
- ^ a b D. Michael Quinn, "Plural Marriage and Mormon Fundamentalism", Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, vol. 31, no. 2, pp. 22–23.
- ^ Brandon Burt, "Utah's Gay Mayor", Salt Lake Metro.
- ^ Attorney General Mark Shurtleff. Attorney General Terry Goddard. “The Primer: Helping Victims of Domestic Violence and Child Abuse in Polygamous Communities” Utah Attorney General’s Office. Arizona Attorney General’s Office. June 2006. Page 22 "The Primer"
Sects in the Latter Day Saint movement
Mormon fundamentalist sectsChurch of Christ
Organized by: Joseph Smith, Jr.
Joseph Smith's original
organization; renamed The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 26, 1838. multiple sects currently
claim to be true successor1844 (trust reorganized)
1851 (incorporated)The Church of
Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints
Organized by: Joseph Smith
and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
14 million membersMormon fundamentalist
sects.1920s 1926 1994 2001 Short Creek Community
Organized by: Lorin C. Woolley
Multiple sects claim
to be true successorLatter Day Church of Christ
Organized by: Elden Kingston
approx. 2,000 membersTrue and Living Church
of Jesus Christ of
Saints of the Last Days
Organized by: James D. Harmston
approx. 400 memberThe Church of the
Firstborn and the General
Assembly of Heaven
Organized by: Terrill R. Dalton1954 1954 1984 Apostolic United Brethren
Organized by:Rulon C. Allred
approx. 10,000 membersFundamentalist Church of
Jesus Christ
of Latter-Day Saints
Organized by:Leroy S. Johnson
approx. 10,000 members2
0
0
2Blackmore/Bountiful
Community
Organized by: Winston Blackmore
approx. 700 membersCentennial Park
Organized by: Marion Hammon
and Alma Timpson
approx. 1,500 members1
9
9
0Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints and the
Kingdom of God
Organized by:Frank Naylor
and Ivan Neilsen
approx. 250 members1975 1977 1978 1955 Church of the
New Covenant in Christ
Organized by: John W. BryantConfederate Nations of Israel
Organized by: Alex Joseph
approx. 400 membersRighteous Branch of the
Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints
Organized by: Gerald Peterson, Sr.
approx. 100 membersChurch of the Firstborn
of the Fulness of Times
Organized by: Joel F. LeBaron
under 1,000 members1
9
7
2Church of the Lamb of God
Organized by: Ervil LeBaronCategories:- Latter Day Saint organizations
- Religious organizations established in 1977
- Organizations based in Utah
- Mormon fundamentalist sects
- Christian political organizations
- Latter Day Saint movement in Utah
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